If you’re looking for a fresh, crunchy, and delightfully tangy salad that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you’ve got to try this Apple Walnut Salad Recipe. It’s a perfect balance of crisp apples, toasted walnuts, and a sweet-tangy dressing that makes every bite burst with flavor. Whether you’re serving it as a light lunch or a vibrant side dish, this salad brings together the best of textures and tastes in a way that’s both satisfying and easy to whip up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Apple Walnut Salad Recipe calls for simple, wholesome ingredients that combine to create a medley of texture and flavor. Each component plays an important role, from the leafy greens that provide freshness to the toasted walnuts that add a delightful crunch.
- Mixed greens (6 cups): A combination of spinach, arugula, and romaine provides a multifaceted base, balancing peppery, mild, and crisp notes.
- Apples (2, thinly sliced): Fresh and crisp, the apples bring natural sweetness and a juicy crunch that lighten the salad.
- Walnuts (1/2 cup, toasted): Toasting enhances their nutty aroma and gives each bite a rich, satisfying crunch.
- Dried cranberries (1/4 cup): These add pops of tart sweetness, contrasting beautifully with the creamy feta and crunchy nuts.
- Feta cheese (1/4 cup, crumbled, optional): Adds a tangy creaminess that elevates the salad’s flavor complexity.
- Olive oil (3 tablespoons): The dressing’s base, bringing smooth richness to the vinaigrette.
- Apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon): Provides a bright, tangy note that lifts and balances the salad.
- Dijon mustard (1 teaspoon): Adds subtle spice and helps emulsify the dressing for a silky finish.
- Maple syrup (1 teaspoon): A natural sweetener that rounds out the dressing with warmth and depth.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential seasonings that enhance all the flavors harmoniously.
How to Make Apple Walnut Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Salad Base
Start by gathering a large bowl and tossing together your mixed greens, thinly sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and if you’re using it, crumbled feta cheese. This mix of fresh and toasted components creates a perfect harmony of crunch and creaminess that’s so inviting.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper. Whisk thoroughly until the ingredients are fully combined and the dressing has a smooth, emulsified texture. This dressing is the magic that ties all the salad components together with a lovely balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
Just before serving, drizzle your dressing over the salad bowl and gently toss everything together. Be careful not to crush the delicate greens or apples; you want every bite to have a fresh, crisp bite paired with that luscious dressing coating.
How to Serve Apple Walnut Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Consider sprinkling a few extra walnuts or dried cranberries on top before serving for visual appeal and texture. Adding a light dusting of cracked black pepper or a few fresh herb leaves like mint or parsley can bring a wonderful aromatic lift to the salad experience.
Side Dishes
This Apple Walnut Salad Recipe pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or a flaky salmon filet. It’s also a wonderful companion to crusty artisan bread or a hearty grain bowl, making it easy to turn your meal into something more substantial without overshadowing the salad’s flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, serve the salad in individual glass bowls or mason jars layered with greens and toppings separated to keep them crisp until guests are ready to eat. You can also arrange it on a large wooden platter, creating a colorful and inviting centerpiece that will draw people to the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers of this Apple Walnut Salad Recipe, store them in an airtight container. Keep the dressing separate if possible to maintain the salad’s crispness — tossed salad tends to get soggy after sitting. Adding dressing right before eating is the best way to enjoy it fresh the next day.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh and is not suitable for freezing, as the delicate greens and fresh apples will lose their texture and turn mushy upon thawing. However, you can always prepare extra walnuts or the dressing in advance and freeze those separately if desired.
Reheating
Since this is a fresh, cold salad, reheating isn’t recommended. Instead, enjoy any stored leftovers chilled or at room temperature after tossing again with fresh dressing and maybe an extra sprinkle of walnuts for crunch.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts?
Absolutely! Pecans or almonds make great substitutes and will add their own unique crunch and flavor nuances to the Apple Walnut Salad Recipe.
Is there a way to make this salad vegan?
Yes! Simply omit the feta cheese or replace it with a plant-based cheese or crumbled tofu for that creamy element while keeping it vegan-friendly.
Can I prep this salad ahead of time for a party?
You can prep all the ingredients separately but wait to toss them together with the dressing just before serving to keep everything fresh and vibrant.
What kind of apples work best?
Any crisp variety like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith works beautifully. Granny Smith apples add a nice tartness, while Fuji and Honeycrisp bring more sweetness to balance the dressing.
Is the feta cheese necessary?
Feta adds a delightful tang and creaminess but is optional. The salad is wonderful even without it if you’re looking to keep things lighter or dairy-free.
Final Thoughts
I really hope you give this Apple Walnut Salad Recipe a go soon. It’s one of those dishes that’s not only quick and easy but feels genuinely special every time you eat it. The freshness of the apples, the crunch of the walnuts, and the perfectly balanced dressing come together to create a salad that’s bursting with flavor and texture. Trust me, once you try it, this salad will have a permanent spot in your recipe rotation!
Print
Apple Walnut Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and nutritious Apple Walnut Salad combining crisp mixed greens, thinly sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and optional feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy and slightly sweet apple cider vinaigrette dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a crisp side dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or romaine)
- 2 apples, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, toss together the mixed greens, thinly sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese if using, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and emulsified, creating a smooth and tangy dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly without bruising the greens.
Notes
- Use a mix of greens like spinach, arugula, and romaine for varied texture and flavor.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until aromatic to enhance their flavor.
- Feta cheese is optional but adds a nice creamy, salty contrast.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
- Serve immediately after dressing to maintain the crispness of the salad.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste.
